Age seems to be the trail today, whether your own, or that of a parent.

Dealing with aging parents can be hard. There are lots of books available, and an ever increasing number of services for care, activities and housing. One of the best books I read is out of print, but would be worth finding. Your Best is Good Enough: Aging Parents and Your Emotions, by Vivian E. Greenberg. It was good to read that whatever you are able to do is good, whether that's daily visits, financial help, running errands, or living with the parent. There are ideas for coping with their anger, your anger, feelings of guilt, etc.

In some cultures it was an acceptable practice to leave the elderly behind in a tough winter. This is what happened in Two Old Women: an Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival, by Velma Walls. Times were tough, food was short, so the decision was made to leave two old (and cantankerous) women behind when the tribe moved on in search of food. They were left with a moose hide and a hatchet. After the initial shock of being abandoned they decided they'd try to survive. I won't say anything more, other than the ending was most satisfactory. ;-)

When Tall Reader came for a visit the other day she handed me a book. No comment, just the book. I know from decades of friendship that this meant it was a Good Book!! It's a collection of true stories about women who took charge of their own lives, who felt they needed a change, whether because the kids were all out of the house, the death of a spouse, or a divorce. What made it so very interesting was the time frame. These were all women who came of age in the Depression and WWII (and before) when the proper role of women was to marry, have kids, and be the good little housewife. Some went back to college to become lawyers or doctors, there are store owners, and artists, but every one of them had to overcome the attitude of society and restart their lives. If you can find a copy of Late Bloom: New Lives for Women, by Luree Miller, read it!

Reading Hermit With Dog